Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
The Senator representing Bayelsa west in the National Assembly, Sen.Henry Seriake Dickson has been honoured with an award of excellence by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Bayelsa State Chapter.
Presenting the award to the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr Alambo Datonye, the chairman of Sports writers Bayelsa State chapter, explained that the award was given to Senator Dickson, who hails from Toru-Orua, to appreciate his valuable contributions to the development of Sports in the State.
“ We have watched your activities very closely, all through your term as Governor of Bayelsa State for eight years, you are one man that love sports. You invested immensely in sports, the restoration cup you introduce, we had alot of talents from rural communities making it to the Bayelsa United team that has taken the country by storm.
” People ordinarily that will not have the opportunity were discovered through the restoration cup and were groomed.We cannot forget the the annual Governor Dickson wrestling classic, you funded it and ensure that, the competition became darling of the sporting community in Nigeria.
” All the top wrestlers in Nigeria converge in Yenagoa each year to wrestle and at the end of the tournament they smile home, eventually some of them became African champions, and then our own daughter, Blessing Oborududu who became an Olympic Silver Medalist, for the first time wrestling won a medal in Olympic, because of the foundation you built by supporting Governor Dickson wrestling classic.”
Comrade Datonye who stressed that association would continue to throw it’s weight behind his programs, especially the soon to be concluded Ofurumapepe Cup, and the forthcoming Nanaye Dickson Traditional Wrestling Competition, as he expressed hope that the award will spur him to contribute more to Sports Development.
“As sports writers, we have monitored your antecedents and contributions to sports development in Bayelsa State.
“It is on this note that we have decided to honour you with this special award of excellence and we hope it will encourage you to do more for sports development in Bayelsa state ,” Alambo added.
Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, while receiving the award, appreciated SWAN, for supporting his sporting activities, urging the association not to relent in their profession.
According to the Senator, sports remain a tool for promoting unity and togetherness, and also a panacea for grooming young talents, so of which will emerge professionals in the nearest future, urging well meaning individuals and corporate bodies to team up with the government in developing the sector
His words, “Sports Development is key, it promotes tourism, is for healthy living and lifestyle, youth engagement, and cuts across all aspects of life”.
“So I call on the Federal Government, to partner with the Bayelsa Government in making the Sports Academy, after the Memorandum of Understanding we signed with the Sports Minister. That Academy is meant to export talents, and I am proud with the work I and my team did there. I also call on private individuals, corporate bodies to support sports. They can pick any of the sports and sponsor it, everything about sports and maintainable of its facilities cannot be left for government alone.”
The immediate past Governor dedicated the award to his team who worked with him to deliver his mandate, as he announced his readiness to set a football club, to be known as Ofurumapepe Football Club.
Senator Dickson equally extended his appreciation to media houses and pressmen for their cooperation with his administration, assuring he unveil more programs in Sports, Education and Culture.
